3. RULINGS AND DIRECTIVES

____________________________________________________________________

ANTICIPATION OF PERPETUAL PROFESSION

Interpretation and integration of the Ratio and the Criteria and norms for Salesian vocation discernment

Fr Francesco CEREDA

General Councillor for Formation

In implementing the Ratio and the Criteria and norms for Salesian vocation discernment some Provinces have found difficuty in interpreting the texts which speak about the anticipation of perpetual profession.

The Ratio (FSDB) at number 511 states: «The perpetual profession may be made at the expiry of the time of temporary profession¹ or up to three months earlier². This last possibility requires that there be a just cause, to be assessed by the Provincial with his Council ».

In Criteria and norms for Salesian vocation discernment at number 147 it states: «According to our Constitutions³, the time of trial for us is normally six years. In special cases and for a just cause recognized as such by the Provincial and his Council, perpetual profession can be anticipated.»

In the Ratio it speaks of anticipating perpetual profession up to three months earlier than the expiry of six years of temporary profession; in Criteria and norms for Salesian vocation discernment there is no distinction made between anticipating up to three months or more than three months before the expiry of the six years of temporary profession. The two texts need to be at least harmonised.